Mark Stevenson, candidate for Berinsfield & Garsington

MARK Stevenson, 53, was previously a head of maths at an inner city secondary school and is now a market gardener in Warborough, growing organic fruit and vegetables for markets in Oxford and Wallingford. He has also taught ethics and philosophy to adults.

Mark lives in Dorchester-on-Thames with his partner and young daughter, where he serves as a parish councillor. He is currently leading Dorchester's Neighbourhood Plan and liaising with neighbouring parishes that are intending to start one. He has helped to bring about a more coherent subsidised bus service through Dorchester and works to create more sustainable rural transport options.

He helped found Living Lightly in Dorchester, a community action group to reduce the environmental footprint of the village. This included Dorchester being one of the national pilot Towards Zero Waste Places and he currently leads a group working to create a community owned hydro-electric generator at Days Weir on the river Thames.

He said: "This is a rural area and we need to improve access to facilities. This means supporting and encouraging local businesses, improving broadband and supporting volunteer groups. It means looking after our roads and improving cycle and pedestrian routes. But this has to be done through local policies that address the global issue of climate change. The current Tory dominated council has cut social service spending whilst subsidising free parking, unfairness combined with promoting the most unsustainable mode of transport. Green councillors challenged this, they need our support—that's why I'm standing as a candidate".